No.1 USC Beach Volleyball Sweeps No. 9 LMU in NCAA Quarterfinal

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The top-seeded USC beach volleyball team (35-5) swept eighth-seeded No. 9 Loyola Marymount (28-14) in an NCAA tournament quarterfinal at Gulf Beach Place on Saturday, May 4.
 
In their eighth NCAA appearance, the Trojans advance to the NCAA semifinal dual for the eighth time. USC is now 153-18 when ranked No. 1 in the AVCA coaches' poll and 29-4 in NCAA tournament duals. The Women of Troy improve to 36-8 in Alabama and remain undefeated against the Lions (31-0).
 
On court one, All-American seniors Delaynie Maple and Megan Kraft took down Vilhelmiina Prihti and Michelle Shaffer (21-10, 21-9) to notch USC's first point on the board. Kraft and Maple improve to 34-4 on the season and to 62-7 all-time.
 
At the No. 5 position, freshman Madison Goellner and sophomore Mabyn Thomas held off Madi Firnett and Abbey Thorup in straight sets (21-15, 21-16) to put another point on the board for the Trojans. Goellner and Thomas improved to 7-3 when playing together this season.
 
The third and final point on the board was scored by graduate Maddi Kriz and sophomore Madison White as they defeated Isabelle Reffel and Alisha Stevens in straight sets (21-17, 21-12). Kriz and White are now 9-3 on the sand together.
 
At the No. 4 position, graduate Grace Seits and freshman Ashley Pater won their first set, 21-16, and were tied, 17-17, in the second with Cassie Chinn and Chloe Hooker. On court three, graduates Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse lost their first set 18-21. Neither match was completed.
 
The Trojans will continue play in the NCAA tournament semifinal on Saturday, May 4, against fifth-seeded No. 6 Cal Poly (31-6). The Trojans are set for first serve at 1 p.m. CT (11 a.m. PT) against the Mustangs.
 
For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the
Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCBeach.
 
[1] No. 1 USC def. [8] No. 9 Loyola Marymount, 3-0
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal
Gulf Beach Place · Gulf Shores, Ala.
Saturday, May 4, 2024
RECORDS: USC (35-5), Loyola Marymount (28-14)
1. Megan KRAFT/Delaynie MAPLE (USC) def. Vilhelmiina PRIHTI/Michelle SHAFFER (LMU); 21-10, 21-9
2. Maddi KRIZ/Madison WHITE (USC) def. Isabelle REFFEL/Alisha STEVENS (LMU); 21-17, 21-12
3. Audrey NOURSE/Nicole NOURSE (USC) vs. Anna PELLOIA/Jacinda RAMIREZ (LMU); 18-21, 16-16 DNF
4. Ashley PATER/Grace SEITS (USC) vs. Cassie CHINN/Chloe HOOKER (LMU); 21-16, 17-17 DNF
5. Madison GOELLNER/Mabyn THOMAS (USC) def. Madi FIRNETT/Abbey THORUP (LMU); 21-15, 21-16
Order of finish: 1, 5, 2*